Church Planting

In January 2005 we returned from a short home assignment in the US. We were invited to join Pastor and Mrs. Matsumura and the Kodama EFC to help start church in Tomioka City, Gunma Prefecture. Since the drive to Kodama takes about an hour and a half, we are attending there only twice a month. We do not yet have worship services at Tomioka. Dale participates in and sometimes leads the once a month home meeting in Tomioka. In addition to his regular English Bible class at Kodama EFC, he also sometimes preaches. A team of five came to do literature distribution in Tomioka city in July. This was in preparation for outreach English classes at one of the community centers in Tomioka. In August we held an introductory class, and Ann's English classes began in September with six ladies registered. The class has now grown to eight.

Dale expanded his theological education ministry by teaching a class on hermeneutics in January 2005 at the EFCJ Lay Training Institute, Contemporary Theology at Japan Bible Seminary in the spring and fall, and Theology of Church at Tokyo Christian University in the spring. He also participated in the annual Evangelical Theological Society meeting in the US in November.

Ann continued to chair the JEMA Women in Ministry (WIM) commission, something outside her comfort zone. Dale put together a WIM website and Bryan redesigned the WIM logo for her. She continued with her twice a month Japanese language classes. She also coached the high school and career young people at Kodama EFC in puppetry and they performed “The Shepherd's Side of the Story” at Christmas.

Kristy began the year by getting her drivers license in Maine in January. (Isn't it true that most MKs have their passports long before their drivers licenses?!) She finished her junior year at Trinity Western University and began her fourth year, majoring in psychology and minoring in missions. She is in the psychology honors program and has managed to complete the extra semester of classes necessary to graduate in April 2006. After a study trip to Europe she joined us for the summer months. She was also able to come to Tokyo for Christmas break.

Bryan finished his first year of high school and began his sophomore year at CAJ. He enjoys playing his French horn in band, operating the lights and sound for chapel and learning electric guitar. To his delight, dental braces came off this year. He has only about one inch to grow before he is as tall as Dad.

Matthew now has a full mouth of braces. He finished 7th grade and started his last year in CAJ middle school. He has enjoyed track and basketball, percussion in band, and his last year as a Joy Bible camper. His life long dream of owning a dog came true in October when we were given a beagle named “Sherman.”

All three kids enjoyed making it to the top on their Mt. Fuji climb with Dad in August. We all had a great time at Takayama during the summer.